This Father’s Day we reached out to some notable Dads we love for their thoughts on the lessons learned from being a father.

Al Roker, TODAY and 3rd Hour Today co-host

I was fortunate to have a really terrific dad and I really put him on a pedestal. He had his faults; he was not a perfect man, but I learned three great lessons of fatherhood from him.

One is that I try to make sure that at the end of every conversation I have with my children I tell them that I love them. My Dad was a big hugger, it took me a while to realize not all men are so physically demonstrative, but he gave everyone he loved a bear hug and a kiss. I’m a hugger too, but even if can’t physically hug my kids I will vocally give them that embrace every time.   

Another thing I think Dads and guys in general have is the challenge of admitting we are wrong. When I was in Middle School at St. Catherine of Siena School in Queens my report card came and showed I had a 75 in Math. I knew I had a better grade and told my parents it should have been higher. My dad was skeptical but when they went to the Parent-Teacher conference Sister Catherine actually told my father that she’d made a mistake on my report card and my math grade should have been an 87. My Dad came up to my bedroom that night and said, “I didn’t believe you when you said you had a better grade and I’m really sorry.” And of course, he gave me a hug. My father apologized. I still struggle with admitting when I’m wrong, although you’d think I’ve had plenty of practice being a weatherman.

And thirdly, I learned that there is nothing wrong with a man crying. I remember seeing my father weep after he and my mother lost a baby who was just a few weeks old. I saw him cry when his mother died. My wife Deborah and my kids might tell you it’s a lesson I may have learned too well. When we’re in church at Easter and we starting singing  “And I will Raise You Up,” I think about my late mother singing that and raising her arms,  the kids are like “uh oh, here he goes.”

“My Dad was a big hugger, it took me a while to realize not all men are so physically demonstrative, but he gave everyone he loved a bear hug and a kiss.” -Al Roker

Andy Lassner, Executive Producer of Ellen

Being a father has been the greatest adventure of my life. 

Kids are the people who teach you that you can love somebody so much that you can hardly take it sometimes. And it’s that love that guides you when you realize that kids are also a huge pain in the ass.

Kids drive you nuts because you want to give them everything that you didn’t have. You want to make their road as smooth as possible. You want to show them how to avoid the mistakes that you made. You are 100% sure you know what’s best for them. You hurt when they hurt. You’re happy when they’re happy. But they don’t really want your advice most of the time. They want your advice only when they ask for it. 

Eventually you will arrive at the place that all parents arrive at, often kicking and screaming. That place is the realization that your children’s road is not your road. That their life is wholly theirs, and your only job is to do the best that you can to let them grow in to the people that they’re supposed to be, and not the people you think they should be. 

And what you’ll find out hopefully sooner than later is that they will teach you so much more than you ever thought you would teach them. And for me, this is the greatest lesson of fatherhood.

“Kids are the people who teach you that you can love somebody so much that you can hardly take it sometimes.” -Andy Lassner

Mark Consuelos, Actor

I had the greatest role model in my father. He taught me that kids blueprint what you do; good and bad. 

When he saw me emulating some of his strictness with my eldest son, he suggested I be better than him and “loosen up a bit.”

I’ve learned that if you want your children to be accountable, be the first to apologize. If you want them to be strong and persevere teach them that it’s crucial and ok to ask for help. 

And lastly, implore them to be “better” than you.  

“I’ve learned that if you want your children to be accountable, be the first to apologize.” -Mark Consuelos

Joe Biden, Democratic Candidate for President and former Vice President

Fatherhood teaches you the simplest truth: No matter what, you love each other, period. You love something so much bigger than yourself. You make time. You show up. I was a single dad for four years, trying to raise my kids, racing home on a train every night. I know what it’s like to feel like you can’t go on, and still put one foot in front of the other each day for your family. But I wasn’t just going home for their sake; I needed to be there, too. Every time I’d want to just pack it in, all of a sudden, I’d see one of my kids coming in. They’re my light. In so many ways, they were the ones who took care of me.

I think this moment we’re living through as a country has reminded a lot of people of those same basic truths: focus on what matters, be there for the ones you love. My kids have given me that purpose to keep going, to keep hoping, to keep fighting for something more. Every morning, I still wake up and think: I hope they’re proud of me. They’re the best of you. You know you’re a success when you turn and look at your children, and realize they’ve turned out better than you ever were.

“Every time I’d want to just pack it in, all of a sudden, I’d see one of my kids coming in. They’re my light. In so many ways, they were the ones who took care of me.” -Joe Biden

John Kasich, Former Governor of Ohio

What fatherhood has taught me is the meaning of love and the meaning of patience.

This article was featured in the June 21st edition of The Sunday Paper. The Sunday Paper Inspires Hearts and Minds to Rise Above the Noise. To get The Sunday Paper delivered to your inbox each Sunday morning for free, click here to subscribe.